Carrick-a-Rede Rope Bridge

On the day after arriving were informed no booking no access. Our family had national trust membership.
Granted access Seeing the numbers walking up to queue we settled instead for a snack in the only hut facility which consists of 2 stage process. You order then move to the right seating area.
We asked for 4 toasted sandwiches 2 coffees and 2 teas £30.
However we subsequently were given the so called food consisting of bread one side barely toasted raw onion gooey melted cheese and tiped tea that had been swiming in a mixture of bland liquid no matter how much you tried to strain the bag it made no difference to outcome.
No supervision over two teenagers.
One takes money and preps the brews the other attemps to make the premade sandwich in the toaster.
For this amount of money I later payed in the bowling club a round of drinks for 6 people.
Appauling set up and a right visiting rip-off.
Just stick to ice cream brands and crisps nothing else.

We spent the 3 hours driving up from Dublin and when we got there at 4, they had already closed the gate for tickets. We walked ahead and got to where the bridge was, introduce Alex & Aien (the only 2 hateful people we encountered in Ireland.) We got to the bridge at 4:15 (little bit of a walk) and they asked for our tickets. I said I didn't have any because the little gates were closed and she told me I couldn't go across. I asked her if I could pay her right there for the tickets she said nope. Another tourist overheard the conversation and said she had purchased a ticket, but was too afraid to go and I could have hers. I asked if I paid her for the ticket in front of them, would that count as having a ticket. Enter Aien who tells me "I am in control of this bridge and I say you're not going." I begged her telling her it was my last day there, she just smiled and said "too bad."
REALLY?!?!! Not sure if she just delighted in treated people this way or if quite honestly she had a thing against Americans, but there was no need to be so hateful. I can honestly say the bridge from where I could see it was nothing to be hyped up about, but the real kicker was just how nasty those 2 were about the whole situation. Everyone I had encountered honestly in the whole of Ireland had been the nicest people, these 2 were the exception. It's hard to imagine anyone could be filled with that much ugliness inside them, surrounded by all that natural beauty everydayclearly it's not rubbing off on these ladies.

I had such a lovely experience visiting Carrick a reed it is stunning and well worth a visit. There is a nice 20 minute walk down to the bridge that has little bench stops along the way if needed. There is some nice spots along the walk to stop and have some lunch with a stunning view.

I was a bit nervous of crossing the bridge but it was fine its a great experience walking in the foot steps that the fishermen would have done daily over a period of 350 years. It really hits home how much hard work would have gone into the fishing at this time truly brave people.

The island itself is stunning I was lucky visiting in February meant that I literally had the hole Island to myself for around half an hour which was an absolute pleasure I was in total awe of the island and stood for a while enjoying the views of the crashing waves and the sea birds going about their daily activities.

I was travelling alone and it can be hard to get photos of myself on my travels but I was really touched when I came back across the bridge that the two national trust workers at the gate asked if I would like them to take my photo on my phone which made my day. I would never have asked and now I have a special photo (thats not a selfie) on the bridge. Little touches like this make such a difference to a solo travellers day :)

I am a national trust member so the entrance was included in that membership if you are UK based and enjoy the outdoors a membership is well worth it for £5 a month for one adult and you can visit as many NT places as you like. I can see why people might think the £13 charge is a bit steep but I personally think its worth it.

I have heard that it is usually a lot busier and there can often be queues on the way over the bridge so if you get a chance to visit out of season do it. I went during Englands half term which landed a week after Norther Irelands half term which was perfect timing.

I visited here after some googling of things to do in the area, we went in the height of summer so would recommend going as early as possible to avoid the queues. It’s quite a hike to get the bridge itself and the crossing is not for the fair hearted. Once you’ve crossed you can rest on the island for a little bit but there’s nothing really there. The views were lovely but just as nice as the view from the Causeway walk which was much easier. There’s lots of steps and it’s quite steep so probably not great for anyone with mobility issues, as we were leaving towards lunchtime the queue for the bridge was backed up for a quite a while. Personally I wouldn’t queue as I don’t think it would’ve been worth the wait but if you catch it early then it’s a nice activity.

Just amazing! Breathtakingly worth it! Very organised by National Trust and not too mad busy but ALWAYS book beforehand, as we were leaving it said 'site closed- no bookings left'
It was £37 for a family ticket but that did/could include 2 adults/ 3 children (under 17) - you get told its 1km walk from car park to bridge and its very steep. But WOW! The views are outstanding- once you get to the bridge, crossings are staggered by attendants, so many over one side then so many back, etc. At the end, Very steep iron steps to bridge and its soooo worth the view and photos! On the island, The fisherman's cottage was part of the site, but for safety that's now closed off. Definitely recommend but it's knackering! Take a towel and some water!! There's a little cafe once you get back to car park, you'll feel like you've earned a coffee and cake! 🥮

I'm a child of The Troubles. Though I was lucky enough to live on the North Coast. Lucky, because compared to Belfast and Londonderry, it was like another planet.
We had the magnificent beaches when the sun shone. When it rained, there wasn't much to do.
When the sun shone, drives along the Coast Road to Carrickfergus were popular.
The places to stop and have a light bite and/or a stroll were endless. In a little province where many worked in extremely dangerous and stressful jobs. The whole North Coast from Limavady to the shores of Belfast Loch, offered the opportunity to relax, de-stress and enjoy a little bit of normality.
Carrick a Rede was such a place and perhaps one of the best places to try to forget the daily carnage. The bridge was different then. Bigger spaces between the wooden slats, so you really had to be aware of every step. The waist high ropes used to hold onto as you crossed, seemed very insubstantial. Both then and now. There was so much slack in the ropes that gripping them tightly reassured me not a jot.
Daily, when the wind picks up, usually in the afternoon, the bridge would buck and sway like something possessed, because it was so light.
For someone like me, who has real problems with heights, crossing that little possessed bridge was a tiny triumph, when done with elan. More so, if there were a few people waiting to cross behind you. The gentlemen amongst us would look back to the people about to step onto the bridge and smile reassuringly,z accompanied by vague arm motions supposedly signalling an easy crossing.
Or, if you had friends behind you, you might pantomime feeling nauseous, weak kneed, traumatised and enjoy the range of reactions from disbelief through to abject fear.
Best of all perhaps. The upkeep of all of our outdoor attractions was paid for through our taxes and managed by local Councils. Out of curiosity, I Googled Carrick a Rede
Rope Bridge and when I read the various visitor charges, I was shocked and that shock eventually turned to anger. Don't get me wrong. I love Carrick a Rede. It reminds me of summer days with girlfriends, thirty years ago. You might say that I need to remember that it's almost 2023.
Either way. In these times especially. It saddens me profusely, that the National Rust appear to be charging as much as they believe they can get away with.
That's not the welcome I'd choose to extend to any foreign visitors that I might meet.

I have a fear of falling from heights. I was quite apprehensive to walk to and from the hanging bridge. However, all my friends seemed brave enough to do it, and so, as not to spoil the fun, I did as well. I felt a surge of adrenaline after completing the task. There were personnel on each side of the bridge to assist and guide people. Despite the fact that rain was pouring so hard that day, it was not windy so the staff still allowed the activity. The rain made the grass even greener and the seas bluer.

The walk and the weather was lovely, and it is a lovely wee walk to the rope bridge. There are a steep inclines and descends but if you take your time and there are plenty of rest stops and benches placed conveniently. It was a bit frustrating that the bridge was shut due to Covid, although the man at the car park gates told us before competing the walk and the car park is free as the bridge is closed. It was frustrating as the bridge and the cafe were shut due to Covid. With the lifting of restrictions and the lack of social distancing at the giants causeway (the other national trust site located ten minutes down the road) we left the it was unnecessary for the both the cafe and bridge to be closed.

It’s a nice walk along the cliff edge to the bridge across to the island. Coming from New Zealnd we are used to bigger swing bridges so this one was tiny and a little underwhelming for us but the walk was pleasant.
The history behind the bridge, some of the distant islands and older buildings near by however was very interesting. The National Trust worker was very knowledgeable and we spent a long time learning about the area which was very fascinating.
Being National Trust card holder also meant entry was free - best to book online if you want to experience the bridge though as it gets busy in the holidays!

We were here on a very rainy and wet afternoon, still definitely worth a visit!!

It is about a 1 mile hike from the car park area to reach the bridge. But, as you walk along the coast there is spectacular views from every angle. They only allow eight people to cross the bridge at a time, So the weight could be long, but worth it.

The bridge feels very safe, at no time was I worried while crossing it. I don’t particularly like heights, but this did not bother me at all.